Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-11-25
WILD BEASTS N A BLAZE.
BARNTWS BIG NENAGERIE
BIRNED.

BARNT.WS BIG NENAGERIE
BTRNED.
SCORCHED ELEPHANTS on A STAN.
PEDE-FRENZIED LIONS TEAR
ING THROUGH TIE STREETS or
BRIDGEPORT-THE PEOPLE TER
ROR- STRICKEN.
BRIDGEPORT. Conn. Nov. 90
The mann bnilding Of Barnum X
Bliley's greatest show on earth was
entirely destroyed by fire this even.
ing. About 1890 o'clock an alarm
was sounded, quickly followed by u
general alarm, and thousands of
people were drawn to the spot. In
less than thirty minutes the big
building, which was six hundred
by two hundred feet and two stories
IN height, was entirely consumed.
The first intimation OF the fire was
given by the roaring of the lions
and tigers, which seemed TO realize
the impending danger. Next, the
elephants struggled in their chains,
but in an incredibly short time the
ilames swept from one end OF the
huge structure TO the other. There
were SIX watchmen employed on the
premises, bnt they were helpless to
check the flames. One of the men
was IN the horse binding, when his
lantern exploded, igniilng the hay
and straw. Five of the watchmen
have reported, but one is missing.
The upper portion OF the building
was filled with hay and all the par
aphernalia OF the great show. BE.
fore the first alarm ceased sou nding
the whole building was enyeloped
in fire aud no one dared to app roach
the building, being fearful Of the
crazed animals. Three elephants
were burned up, and 3G broke from
their fastening and dashed through
the sides Of the burning building.
Their rOars and trumpetings and
sounds of torment were terrific
Six elephants and large African
hippOpotamus rushed about the
streets, presenting a sickening APP
pearance. Their sides were burned,
and great pieces Of flesh foot
square fell off. Thirty elephants
and one large lion made their es-
cape, and have started of across
the country toward Fairfield and
Easton. Great alarm has seized
many residents of the West End,
and they have taken refuge within
their houses, with windows barred.
VIM. Newman, the elephant trainer,
is ont of town, and the keepers we're
not able, IN the excitement, to herd
the frightened animals. In the
horse room were all the ring ami
mails, trained stations, ponies, etc.
These were all burned. In the 9TH
er room were the tents, poles, seats,
harness, etc. for the entire show,
and these, too, were all destroyed.
In the cat room, where the BIRDS.
monkeys, three rhinOctroes, hyenas,
tigers. lions and all the menagerie,
which fell a prey to the flames. so
rapidly did the flames leap across
the main building that the iiremen
made no attempt to save 1t, but
turned their streams upon the char
10, buildings and car sheds, which
they succeeded in saving, but the
heat was so intense that this was
accomplished with the greatest diff
fculty. The total loss is estimated
at 100000, upon which there was
but 800, 900 insurance. Before the
huildng went down Barnum's agent
was busy making arrangements for
obtaining new lot of attractions
to supply the loss. Mr.. Brothwell,
Barnnm's Bridgeport agent, stated
that the show building would be re-
built, but not in Bridgeport. The
great show would probably go to
jersey City, where better railroad
facilities could be had. Mr.. Bar
nun Is in New York.
The Waterman making his rounds
discovered the fire and started to
give the alarm, when some unknown
person hit him on the head with
blunt instrument, telling him to the
ground and cutting a number OF Sc
we're gashes in his head. He stag
gercd 10 his feet and gave the
alarm, enabling the other wathmen
in the building, who were prepar-
ing for bed to escape. One of the
three elephants burned was the
famous "Sacred White ELEPHANT
The lion which the police attempt.
ed to kill at the time the fire broke
ont, was aflerward found in a barn
devouring "A COW which he had kill.
ed. He was shot. The fire is now
ont